Vehicle-frame.



I .Patented Sept. l8, I900. A. BATH.

VEHICLE FRAME.

(Application filed Sept. 28, 1899.)

(LN!) Model.)

INVENTOR ATTORNEY UNTTED STATES- PATENT Erica.

ABRAHAM BATH, on NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE SAFETY THREE WHEEL VEHICLE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

VEHlCLE-FRAM E.-

SPECIFIGAIIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 658,329, datedSeptember 18, 1900.

Application filed Eeptember 28, 1899. Serial No. 731,933. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern. Be it known that I, ABRAHAM BATH, a subjcct of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, residing in the borough of Manhattan,

in the city and State of New York, have invented Improvements in Vehicle Frames or Running-Gear, of .which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to frames or runninggear for carriages or similar vehicles, more especially for vehicles having three Wheels; and its object is to provide an inexpensive, light, and graceful frame or running-gear which shall at the same time be easily assembled, durable, and capable of resisting such strains as it may. be subjected to.

The invention consists in the novel "construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more particularly described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view ofa vehicle provided with my invention; Fig. 2, a plan view, and-Fig. 3 a front view of the same.

'In constructing my invention I employ two rear wheels'a (1, having an axle b, and one somewhat-smaller front wheel a, mounted in a fork d. I prefer to use wire-spoke wheels providedwith pneumatic tires on account of their lightness and strength; but any form of wheels can be used without. departing from the spirit of my invention. curved or arched (see Fig. 3) and is provided with V-shaped pieces e e, rigidly attached to each end of the elevated portion of the axle. The fork d is attached at its upper end toa casting Z, having a vertically-projecting post f, the upper extremity of which is provided. with a not Q or similar means for securingthe same, as hereinafter described. From the casting Z arms 71 project forward, to which shafts may be attachedu A diagonally-extending brace t (see Fig. 1) is provided for maintaining each leg of the fork din its proper position;

The connecting-pieces for the parts above described are preferably made of metaltubing, as by employing thesame great lightness is secured with at the same time ample strength. The principal connecting-pieces are side tubings i e, which are bent into the The axle b is shape shown in Fig. 2, the rear ends of which are brazed or otherwise suitably rigidly at tached to a casting 1-, the portions in proximity to the axle likewise attached to the V shape pieces e e and the front ends to opposite sides of a casting 7c. The casting is bears a sleeve 10, which is adapted to receive the post f, which after insertion is secured therein by the nut g. The post fis free to turn in the sleeve w, and the casting Z, to which it is attached, bears against the casting 70 upon the lower end of the sleevew, forming a fifthwheel.

Rigidly attached to the axle 1) near its ends are braces n n, which extend forward, upward, and inward and are rigidly attached to the tubings 2' i, and also rigidly'atlached to the axle nearit-s middle point is a brace 0, which extends backward and upward and is rigidly attached to the casting r. A horizontal brace 00 connects the tnoings 1' near their middle parts, Fig. 2. To the castings r and Z are bolted or otherwise suitably at tached the supporting-springs p p, to thhpper parts of which are secured pieces 8 s, which pass under the frontand rear of the body q and support the same.

It will be evident that the sleeve 20 may be dispensed with and that instead of the post f a device similar to an ordinary king-bolt may be provided, connecting the two castings, which of course must be perforated to allow the passage of the same, the bearing-surfaces constituting the fifth-wheel being, if desired, somewhat larger in such case than those shown in the drawings.

Numerous other non-essential changes of detail can be made in the form, arrangement, combination, and attachment of the connectingpieces and braces which I have shown and above described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as will be evident, such modified'constructions, it i?- fering'from those here shown and describe-n only in natters of non-essentialdetail, being .-e quivalcnts of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what -I-claim as new, and desire to secureby Let-.-

ters Patent, is as follows: v I

1. In a vehicle frame or runn1ng-gear, the combination with a rear axle and wheels therecom bination with a rear on, a forward. fork and a Wheel therein said fork being provided with diagonal braces 15 I,

and a fifth-wheel device; of side pieces it having their front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth-wheel device and their middle portions to said rear axle, and braces nn connecting said axle and said side pieces, substantially as herein set forth.

2. In a vehicle frame or running-gear, the combination with a'rear axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being provided with diagonal braces it, and a fifth-wheel device; of side p'ieces i'rhaving their front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth-wheel device, their middle portions to said rear axle, and their rear ends to a casting r, braces n n connecting said axle and said side pieces, and a brace 0 connecting said axle With said casting r, substantially as herein set forth.

3. In a vehicle frame or running-gear, the combination with a rear axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being provided with diagonal braces Z i, and a fifth-wheel device; of side pieces 1' t' having their front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth-wheel device, their middle portions to said rear axle, and their rear ends to a casting 9', braces w )2 connecting said axle with said side pieces, a brace 0 connecting said axle with said casting r, and a liorizont-al brace a: connecting the side pieces t 'if togcther, substantially as herein set forth.

4. In a vehicle frame or rnnninggear, the combination with a rear-axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being provided with diagonal braces t t, and a fifth-wheel device; of side pieces .5 i having their front ends connected to the upper member of the iiftlrwhcel device, their middle portions connected to supports adapted to connect the same to the rear axle and to elevate the same above the said axle, and their rearends connected to a casting r,braces n n connecting said axle with said side pieces, and a brace 0 connecting said axle with said casting r, substantially as herein set forth.

5. In a vehicle frame or running-gear, the

axloand wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being, provided with diagonal bracestt, and a fifth-wheel device; of side pieces 2' i having their front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth wheel device, their middle portions connectedto supports adapted to connect the same to said rear axle and to elevate the same above said axle, and their rear ends connected to the casting r, n n connecting said axle with said side pieces, a brace 0 connecting said axle with said easting 1', and a brace a: connecting the said side pieces. together, substantially as herein set forth? -6. In a vehicle frame or runninggear, the combination with a curved orarched rearlaxle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a: wheel therein said fork being provided with diagonal braces t t, and a fifth-wheel device;

nected to the upper member of said fifthwheel device, their middle portions to the "raised or arched portion of the rear axle, and

their rear ends to the casting r, braces 91. in connecting the ends or lower portions of the said axle with said side pieces, and a brace 0- connecting the middle portion of said axle with the said casting-r, substantially as herein set forth.

7. In a vehicle frame or running-gear, the combination with a curved or arched rear axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a Wheel therein said fork being provided with diagonal braces i t, and a fifth-wheel device; of side piecesi 2' having their front ends connected to the upper member of said fifthwheel device, their middle portions to the raised or arched portion of saidrear axle, and their rear ends to a casting 'r, braces 11 12 con necting the ends or lower portions of said axle with said side pieces, a brace 0 connecting the middle portion of said axles with said casting r, and a brace acon necting the said side pieces together, substantially as herein set forth.

8. In a vehicle frame or running-gear, the combination with a rearaxleand wheels thereon, a forward fork and a Wheel therein, and a fifth-wheel device; of side pieces it having their front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth-wheel device, their middle portions to supports adapted to connect the same to said rear axle and to elevate said side pieces above said axle, and their rear ends to a casting r, braces n n connecting said axle with said side pieces, and a brace 0 connecting said axle with said casting r, substantially as herein set forth.

9. In avehicle frame or running-gear, the

combination with a-rear axle and Wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein, and a fifth-wheel device; of side pieces it having their front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth-wheel device, their middle portions to supports adapted to connect the same to said rear axle, and to elevate said side pieces above said axle, and their rear ends to a casting r, braces n a connecting said axle with said side pieces, a braceo conmeeting said axle with said casting r, and a brace a: connecting said side pieces together, substantially as herein set forth.

10. In a vehicle frame or running-gear, the combination with. a curved or arched rear axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein, and a fifth-wheel device; of side pieces 2'2 having their front ends con-' nected to the upper member of said fifthwheel device, their middle portions to the raised or arched portion of said rear axle, and their rear ends to a casting r, braces n n connecting the ends or lower portions of said axle with said side pieces, and a brace 0 connecting the middle portion of said axle with paid? casting r, substantially as herein set ort l.

11. In a vehicle frame or running-gear, the combinationwith a curved or arched rear axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein, and a fifth-wheel device; of side pieces i f having their front ends conne'cted to the upper member of said fifthwheel device, their middle portions to the raised or arched portion of the rear axle. and their-rear ends to a casting r, braces n a connecting the ends or lower portions of said axle with said side pieces, a brace connecting the middle portion of said axle with said casting r, and a brace .1: connecting said side pieces together, substantially as herein set. forth.

12. In a vehicle frame or running-gear, the

combination with a curved or arched rear axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein, and a fifth-wheel device; of side pieces i 5 having their front ends connected to the upper member of said fifthwheel device, their middle portions connect- .ed to the raised or arched portion of said rear axle, and their rear ends connected to a casting 1', braces 11 a connecting the ends or lower portions of the axle with said side pieces, a brace 0 connecting the middle portion or' said axle with said casting '2', snpporting-springs p p and supporting-pieces s s, substantially as herein set forth.

13. In a vehicle frame or running-gear, the combination with a curved or arched rear axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being provided with diagehal' braces t t, and a fifth-wheel device; of side pieces 1 1 havingtheir front ends connected to the upper member of the fifth-wheel device, their middle portions connected to the raised or arched portion of the rear axle, and their rear ends connected to a casting 1', bracesa a connecting the ends or lower portions-of the axle with said side pieces, a brace 11 connecting the middle portion of said axle with said casting r, supporting-springs p p and supporting-pieces s s, substantially as herein set forth.

' 14. In a vehicle frame or running-gear, the combination with a rear axle and wheels there- (/lll, a forward fork and a wheel therein, and

a fifth-wheel device; of side pieces i 11 having their front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth-n heel device, their middle portions to supports adapted to connect them 'to' said axle and to elevate them therefrom,

and their rear ends to a casting r, braces 11 a connecting said axle with said side pieces, a brace 0 connecting the middle portion of said axle with said casting r, supporting-springs p p and supporting-pieces s s, substantially as herein set forth. 7

15. In a vehicle frame or running-gear, the combination with a rear axle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein 'said fork being provided with diagonal braces H, and a fifth-wheel device; of side pieces i 1' having their front ends connected to the upper member of said fifth-wheel device, their middle portions to supports adapted to connect the same to said rear axle and to elevate the same therefrom, and their rear ends to acasting r, braces in )2 connecting said axle with said side pieces, a brace 0 connecting said axle with said casting supportingsprings 11 p and supporting-pieces s s, substantially as herein set forth.

16. In a vehicle frame or running-gear, the combination with a rearaxle and wheels thereon, a forward fork and a wheel therein said fork being provided with diagonal braces If t, and a fifth-wheel device; of' side pieces it having their front ends connected to the uppermember of said fifth-wheel device, their my name, this 9th day of September, 1899, in-

the presence of two subscribing witnesses. ABRAHAM .BA'llf. \Vitn e sses:

JAMES E. BLOOMER. \VTLLIAM F. HEADER. 

